One US Open champion is in and another is out of Dubai.
Reigning US Open champion Bianca Andreescu pulled out of next week's Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships days after former US Open champ Kim Clijsters accepted a wild card into Dubai.
More: Clijsters Receives Dubai Wild Card
Continuing recovery from the left knee injury that knocked her out of last month's Australian Open and last weekend's Fed Cup qualifier, Andreescu said she's not yet ready to compete.
“I’m very sad to announce that I won’t be able to compete in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships next week,” Andreescu said in a statement. “I’m not at 100 percent yet and following my team and doctor’s recommendation, I don’t want to take any risk on my knee. Each day I get closer to being back to the court competing, but Dubai is just too soon.”
The 19-year-old Andreescu has not played a match since hobbling off the court after dropping the opening set to Karolina Pliskova on October 30th at the WTA Finals.
Andreescu made the trip to Switzerland for Team Canada's Fed Cup tie vs. the host Swiss last weekend, but continues to practice with a heavy black brace around her knee.
Pliskova, Wimbledon winner Simona Halep, Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, defending Dubai champ Belinda Bencic and Hall of Famer Clijsters, who launches her comeback after a seven-year absence and three kids, headline the Dubai field.
Photo credit: BNP Paribas Open Facebook